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About this project
Summary of work
Construction will take place 2023-2024 to resurface 4.6 miles of I-35 in Rice County, and improve ramps and bridges. The 2024 work began April 15 and is scheduled to be completed in the fall.
Resurfacing I-35
- Resurface I-35 from near Rice Co. Rd. 48 to Hwy 21 (southbound lanes from Bagley Ave./Co. Rd. 93 to the south part of project resurfaced in 2023)
- Some portions of the roadway will be removed and/or regraded
- Construct crossovers (completed in 2023)
Work at Rice Co. Rd. 48
- Repair southbound Rice Co. Rd. 48 bridge over I-35 (completed in 2023)
- Resurface southbound I-35 on ramp (completed in 2023)
- Resurface northbound I-35 off ramp
Work at Hwy 60
- Change the southbound I-35 off ramp to allow for better deceleration and reduce run-off-the-road crashes
- Alter the northbound I-35 off ramp and remove the eastbound leg of ramp. All traffic will come to a stop at the end of the off ramp and continue to their destination
- Change the northbound I-35 on ramp to improve acceleration and merging onto I-35
Work at Hwy 21
- Resurface and repair portions of the northbound I-35 on ramp (completed in 2023)
- Extend northbound I-35 acceleration lane to better accommodate merging truck traffic (completed in 2023)
- Resurface southbound I-35 on ramp
- Resurface northbound I-35 off ramp
Guardrail and lighting
- Replace all guardrail
- Remove and reinstall cable median barrier
- Replace all light poles
Traffic signals
- Replacing traffic signal at Hwy 60 and 30th Ave. NW
- Three other traffic signals will be replaced in 2024 as part of a different MnDOT project. Additional information can be found on the project website
Additional details
This project will extend the life of I-35 and create a smoother ride for motorists from near Rice Co. Rd. 48 to Hwy 21. It will also improve ramps, and bridges, and replace a traffic signal and lighting.
The main goal of the project is to resurface I-35 which will extend the life of the roadway and make it a smoother ride. The team has chosen a technique called an unbonded overlay. This can cause as much as a 9 inch difference in height which will not match up to the existing roadway. To adjust for the difference, short sections of the road will be removed and rebuilt.
The team will also address crashes and acceleration/deceleration issues by adjusting ramps. A bridge will get some replacement parts to help it last longer. A traffic signal and lighting replacement will also happen.
